The Definition of An Empath – Signs You’re Empathic & What to Do If You Are!

Are You A Psychic Empath?

The definition of an emapth is someone who psychically feels the emotions, feelings, energy and even thoughts of others.

Yes … Being an empath is a psychic ability!

Have you ever been overwhelmed by other people’s feelings, their energy or your environment?

If yes, keep reading because you are probably an empath! Use the 12 traits explained in this post to find out whether you’re an empath… Then keep reading to find out what it all means, and what to

Use the 12 traits explained in this post to find out whether you’re an empath… Then keep reading to find out what it all means, and what to

What Does “Being An Empath” Even Mean?

Quite simply, being an empath means you have the ability to feel other people’s emotions as well as the energy of people and places.

Based on personal experience (yes, I am an empath too) I know that being empathic can feel like both a blessing and a curse at times.

Trying to ignore empathic ability can cause all sorts of emotional turmoil as you unwillingly and unknowingly tune into the emotions of others, sometimes mistaking them as your own. This is especially true for empaths who have yet to develop or master their gift.

This is why many empaths feel cursed, as they go through life being constantly bombarded by other people’s energy. Their heightened sensitivity triggers unseen stress, actual physical symptoms, feeling uncomfortable in certain places or around certain people (especially in large crowds) and it often triggers a desire to escape.

Empathic ability is not all bad though, and developing your empathic ability can help you to transform this psychic ability into a beautiful gift with immense blessings.

Being empathic has amazing potential, that when developed and honed, can manifest itself as heightened creativity, deep personal connections with others, psychic awareness, and even profound healing abilities.

To figure out if you are truly a psychic empath take a look at the signs!

If you feel that a majority of these apply to you, odds are that you’re an empath! With this knowing, you can then take steps to develop your empathic ability, maintain healthy boundaries, and turn your empathic ability into a true psychic gift.

12 Eye Opening Traits of Psychic Empaths

#1. Relentless Pursuit of Freedom

Would you consider yourself a free spirit? Empaths can deeply feel into the energies of others as individuals and collectively. They’re able to naturally feel and know when others are living in their truth, and when they’re conforming or following the dreams of another.

For this reason, empaths tend to boldly live outside of the norm, not needing or willing to fit into a box created by society.

Do you love to travel, explore, and seek out adventure to spice things up and keep life interesting? This is the first sign you may be an empath!

#2. Extremely Sensitive to the Emotions ofOthers

Feeling and being sensitive to the emotions of others is the cornerstone sign you’re empathic, because this is the core of what it means to be empathic.

For the untrained empath, it’s like the emotions of others are contagious. Either other people’s energy fuels you with happiness and creativity, or it can completely drain you.

If you feel other people’s emotions like they are your own, you are an empath.

#3. Violence & Cruelty Deeply Affect You

To an empath, seeing acts of senseless violence and cruelty are not only horrifying, they can crush your spirit and make you seriously question humanity and life in general.

Do you feel deeply affected by negative world news or the challenging events happening in the lives of others?

Do you abhor violence or find yourself unable to separate your emotions from those of someone going through a tragedy?

This is a sign you’re empathic!

#4. The Ability to See People’s True Colors

It’s extremely hard to trick or lie to an empath.

Do you have the acute ability to sense body language and emotions to know when someone is lying or telling the truth?

Empathic ability will allow you to discern whether people are being genuine and honest with you, or when they’re being manipulative, deceptive, or putting on a show.

Seeing the truth in people regardless of what they do, say, or act like is a core sign you have an empathic gift.

#5. Rooting for the Underdog

The pain felt by victims of social inequality, bullies or injustice will evoke a flood of compassion in those who are empathic.

For this reason, empaths tend to root for the underdog. Is this you?

Those who are empathic will more often than not be drawn to and want to root for and support the side that needs the most help.

#6. Being Overwhelmed by Crowds

Do you feel overwhelmed by large group of people, busy locations, and crowds?

As an empath, being in the center of a crowd can leave you feeling like you’re being bombarded with a tsunami of emotions from everyone in the crowd, making you want to run and hide.

Many empaths are quite aware of this and regularly avoid large crowds and public events due to this. With practice you can learn to create boundaries, and avoid taking on too much energy from others, or to at least be less affected by it.

#7. Other People Approach You with Their Problems

Do other people tend to approach you with their problems, and sob stories?

Empaths are often like magnets to the emotionally needy. Both friends and strangers tend to be drawn to those who are empathic, because of your ability to listen, feel, and understand what they are going through without judgement.

#8. Need for Occasional Solitude

Does having alone time recharge you?

Not having a break from others for long periods of time will drive most empaths crazy. Empaths need time alone to reconnect with their energy, and to regain their composure away from the influence of others.

#9. Love of Nature And Animals

If you love animals, crystals, plants, wildlife and time in nature, it may be because you can empathically feel and experience the connection between you and all these living beings.

Being outdoors and spending time in nature is recharging, grounding, and essential to help keep those who are empathic, centered, and balanced.

#10. Feeling Strangled by Routine

Do you feel like variety is the spice of life?

Empaths tend to embrace change, and often become restless with long standing routines and monotonous tasks.

Instead, they seek out new environments to boost their creativity, and to change up and circulate the energy they so deeply feel and experience.

#11. Unbridled Creativity

Empaths feel energy… However, they also have an unprecedented ability to create with energy as well.

Many empaths seem to be bursting at the seams with creativity and seek out new and exciting ways to creatively express themselves. Art, dance, writing, and other creative pursuits are fulfilling, recharging and rewarding for most empaths.

#12. Highly Tuned Senses

Empaths are not only sensitive when it comes to the emotions of others and the energy of places, they're often sensitive in general. It's common for empaths to have a sensitive physical sense of smell, hearing, and sight.

Do you tend to pay close attention to your surroundings, noticing little details and subtleties that others seem to miss? Or maybe you find you're easily overstimulated by loud noises, excessive talking, or strong smells?

Being highly sensitive is another common empathic trait.

How many of the above traits do you identify with?

To figure out if you are truly an empath examine the 12 traits above. If you feel that a majority of them apply to you, odds are you are an empath.

If you do learn that you're an empath, don't worry… While being an empath can be challenging, it is also a truly beautiful gift!

How to Thrive As An Empath

Being an empath isn't always easy…

As an empath your natural intuitive ability will allow you to tune into how other people are feeling, and you can quickly get a sense of people and places just from being in proximity.

But if you’re like many empaths, rather than just noticing and being aware of how others are feeling, you may also tend to take on their energy and emotions.

If you’re an empath, staying true to your authentic vibration may be challenging with the feelings, beliefs, and emotions of others appearing on your radar (and if you’re like me the emotions of others can sometimes come through louder than your own).

Without practicing clear energetic boundaries the energy of others will easily cling to you and wreak havoc on your emotions, while also triggering physical symptoms, and throwing you out of alignment with your authentic truth.

This used to happen to me all the time. I would unknowingly mistake the emotions and feelings of others as my own. I didn’t know how to keep my energy clear, and so I would take on the pain energy, anger, and frustrations of others. This led me down a slippery slope and into a downward spiral of health challenges, depression, and low energy.

I am not alone in this either. Many intuitive and empaths experience health challenges as a result of their authentic vibration being clouded by the energy of others.

Feeling tired and drained, upset out of nowhere, and experiencing digestive issues, headaches, hormonal problems, anxiety, depression, leg or back pain and more, can all be caused by overloading your energy with the energy of others.

Being empathic is a wonderful spiritual gift… With healthy boundaries, and by learning a few important practices you can protect your energy field, while still receiving an abundance of insight and information through your empathic feeling sense.

If you’re still wondering if being empathic is worth it, I will tell you now that despite my early challenges as an empath I wouldn’t give it up or trade it away.

As an empath you’re able to deeply feel within the realms of spirit, experience the full vibration of angels, guides, and ascended masters, and receive accurate intuitive information in a way you can verify and validate through your empathic sense.

So how do you tune into the benefits of being empathic without having to deal with the struggle?

Here are three tips for Thriving as an Empath!

1. Practice Mindfulness

As an empath, when your thoughts are scattered, and your mind is busy, your energy will act like a magnet for the chaotic thoughts and frazzled energy of others.

A simple solution is to be present, and mindful of your physical body, which will help keep you anchored in your own energy.
For example, if you’re walking down the street or through a shopping mall, instead of letting your thoughts run out of control, bouncing between reviewing past events and wondering about future possibilities take control. Be fully present in the moment. Focus on each step you take and become aware that you are breathing. Be aware of each step you take.

Notice your feet touching the ground with each step you take or you can focus on being aware that you are breathing as you consciously guide each breath you take to flow throughout your entire body.

You may also benefit from practicing a form of walking meditation. I learned this technique from Thich Nhat Hahn and it has been incredibly powerful for keeping me in my own energy at times when my mind wants to wander.
As you walk, use a simple mantra that you think or say quietly in your mind with each step you take.

“Yes (take a step), yes (take a step), yes (take a step), thank you (take a step),, thank you (take a step), thank you (repeat)”.

Another sticking point for me was when talking with someone. Naturally, through focusing on another person in a conversation, I would start taking on his or her feelings, emotion, and energy. If this happens to you…

Practice listening to others while keeping a portion of your consciousness focused on your own physical body. Listen to what the other person is saying, but be aware of your hands, and how they feel, or how your feet feel pressed against the ground.

This simple awareness practice will help you to maintain your energy vibration, without taking on the emotion of others.

2. Cleanse and Shield Your Energy

Even if you’re a pro at practicing mindfulness, if you’re empathic you will likely still take on the energy of others at times. For this reason, a regular practice of cleansing and shielding your energy is essential for all empaths.

A simple and effective way to do this is with white light. In the morning and before you go to bed, visualize a shower of Divine white light flowing all around you. Let the light wash away any negativity, tension, or stress, and let it wash away all energy that is not yours.

Allow the light of the Divine to flow in through the top of your head, down your spinal column and out through the bottom of your feet grounding you to the earth. Let the light flow in and all around you cleansing your mind, body, aura, spirit and emotions.

Breathe, and feel your energy becoming lighter and brighter as the Divine light restores your authentic vibration, and helps you to shine more of your authentic truth.

Once you’ve cleansed your energy in this way… Use Divine light again this time to shield your energy.

If you don’t use light to shield, you will likely absorb some of the energy, thoughts, emotions, feelings, and negativity of others that you naturally tune into.

There are many ways to shield with light which you can learn more about here. One of my favorite and the most simple is to just imagine a pillar of Divine light all around you. This light protects your energy and keeps you from taking on the emotion and energy of others while allowing clear guidance, Divine light, and intuition to flow through and reach you.

Unfortunately, we can’t just put a shield on once and have it forever effective and in place… So be sure to cleanse and shield your energy daily… But if you do, it really works!

3. Relax and Retreat

Many empaths and intuitives are naturally introverts. This doesn’t mean we don’t like people, or that we're socially awkward, it just means that after a period of social interaction, we usually need some time to retreat into our own space.

Empaths tune into the energy of others… So taking a step back into your own private space where you can get clear about what you are really thinking and feeling is a good thing to do.

If you’re feeling confused and overwhelmed energetically… Take a time out for yourself. Cleanse and shield your energy and then go for a walk in nature, listen to a guided meditation, work on a craft or creative project, or do something else you love to regain your balance and return to your energy.

Some time to yourself is a great way to get clear about what energy is yours and if the feeling you’re tuning into is yours, or if it belongs to someone else.

Being an empath can be overwhelming and confusing if you’re getting mixed up what is yours and what is other peoples energy. But being an empath also has a huge number of blessings!

Just be sure to take the time to maintain your energy using the tips above.

With practice and maintaining healthy boundaries as an empath, you can maintain a high vibration, have plenty of energy, and be able to use your empathic gift to positively benefit your life and the lives of others.

Check out the following articles for more insight and guidance into identifying, developing, and thriving with your empathic gift!

Melanie Beckler is an internationally acclaimed best-selling author, channel, and founder of www.Ask-Angels.com. Her books, Angel Messages, Angel Courses and CD's provide a direct link to the love, frequency & wisdom from the Angelic and Spiritual Realms for people around the world.

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Shannon says
November 29, 2016

As I’m reading about how empaths are sensitive to injustice, feel the feelings of others, and who root for the underdog I noticed an ad from a sponsor “Red State” asking people to vote on whether Trump should have the FBI prosecute Hillary Clinton. This ad completely invalidated the entire blog post and potentially your entire site.

Thank you for your comment Shannon and for bringing this to my attention. We have enabled ads on the site to offset our large server fees… And the ads served through this site are through Googles ad network… Not individual sponsors.

So depending on your browsing history Google displays you different ads.

Thank you for understanding the ad you saw was not placed there by me and I had no idea political ads were being shown! I have gone in and blocked any type of political ads from displaying in the future so this does not happen again. Thank you for your understanding.

Your article described me to a T and I am an extreme version of the points you describe. I have know that I have been an empath from the time I was a child. But, here is the issue I struggle with. I can read people like they are an open book. My husband who is very scientific is spooked by this ability because I am never wrong and can provide personal details about people I just met. Here is the problem though– I have a hard time trusting people or finding other good friends. I have friends but always want to meet new people and have trouble relating to what I call the futile and immature needs of others (materialism and harming others for personal gain.) Often I find myself angry when I hear about more violence, harm or extreme materialism. Do you have tips on how to handle these feelings? Because I have a really terrible view of humanity these days since it seems humanity lacks any real humanity. The word humanity is an irony. Anyhow this isn’t good for my wellbeing. How do you handle this ?

Yes I’m an empath…when I was younger I thought it was …what I called people phobia in crowds too much energy of all those people sucked me dry.Now I know not to put myself into situations where there is no escape.Im currently living with someone who has gotten hooked on BIG PAINKILLERS …I CANNOT BE IN THE SAME ROOM WITH THEM ..ITS DRIVING ME CRAZY.Im saving money so my 2 daughters can move.Ive been calling on all Angels to make a way for us.This person with the drug problem is not the same human they were before.We have faith that the best will transpire soon.Love and blessings ?❤️??????

Hi Melanie. I’ve been an empath for as far back as I can remember.. 4 years old. And although I had never heard of it, I somehow knew that I was as well as what it was. It’s not always easy.. At least for me, with others not understanding, and accusing me of just not wanting to be happy.. That’s just ridiculous.. Who DOESN’T want to be happy,!? I’m grateful for this and all of your posts.. It helps me to see things more clearly. Up until kind of recent, I had believed it was a bad thing to be an empath, not a gift, and that was due to a conversation I had with someone. I had told her about it, my being an empath, feeling everyone’s pain sadness happiness and even guilt, and from countries away. This person acted as if it were such a terrible thing and told me she was going to say a prayer for me.. So thank you for reassuring me that it is indeed a gift! God Bless you and keep you always ❤